I have vague memories from my first trip to Ljubljana, back in 2002. I was on my way to ski flying competitions in Slovenian Alps and it seemed like the most reasonable idea to stop in the capital, to have a better image of the country.

My first visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia

I might not remember all that much but I was certain that Ljubljana is the most charming and the cutest capital city of Europe. Bohemian, somehow edgy and insanely pretty, with a spectacular view towards Alps. All the Ljubljana pictures I’ve seen before weren’t photoshopped, the city really was that pretty!

Ljubljana didn’t feel like the capital city, more like a small town that is perfect to relax and enjoy the Central European vibe. It’s a great introduction to the country when you visit Slovenia.

Returning to Ljubljana

Ljubljana made such a good impression on me that I’ve returned there three more times during my backpacking Europe trips, just for few hours because it was nearby or as a perfect base to explore more of Slovenia. I visited it recently one more time as I couldn’t imagine not including it in my Slovenian itinerary, and I fell for it all over again.

It’s incredible how much the city has changed over these years, how popular it became. I’m not all that much surprised, to be honest, it’s such a gem it had to be discovered at some point!

I was lucky my accommodation, Hostel Tresor, was located just steps away from the main square and the heart of the city – Presernov trg. It was a perfect base to explore Ljubljana on foot as it is just made for walking around.

The cobbled streets, the beautiful architecture, numerous cafes full of locals and the colorful vegetables market – it’s so hard not to fall in love with the city! On top of that, there’s the castle with breathtaking views over the Old Town and the nearby Alps! Ljubljana is just the prettiest!

Ljubljana from a different perspective

This time I also was lucky to see the city from a different perspective – thanks to Ljubljana Card I took a boat trip on the Ljubljanica river.

It was pretty incredible as not only I could admire the beautiful architecture of the Old Town but also some random parts of the city where people were fishing and teenagers took part in kayaking competitions. With the sunny weather, it looked so idyllic!

Click here to get your Ljubljana Card.

Ljubljana pictures

It’s really hard to put into words how gorgeous and charming Ljubljana is. And since a picture is worth thousands of words you can make your own judgment here (and hopefully plan a trip to Ljubljana soon!)

Further reading

I published many articles about Slovenia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 21 Most Beautiful Places in Slovenia You Should Visit
• Slovenia Travel Guide – All About Visiting Slovenia
• Slovenia itinerary – places to visit in Slovenia in 3 – 10 days
• 21 Amazing Things to Do in Ljubljana, Slovenia
• 17 Perfect Day Trips from Ljubljana, Slovenia
• 13 Best Things to Do in Lake Bled, Slovenia
• 15 Great Things to Do in Maribor, Slovenia
• A Complete Guide to Visiting Skocjan Caves, Slovenia
• Velika Planina – the Underrated Highlight of Slovenia
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

---

---

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• If you don’t want to miss new posts and news from me click here to sign to my newsletter! You can also follow me on Bloglovin!
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Slovenia too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. If you like what you are reading and seeing here and would like to support me and my blog please consider using those links. It would be like getting me a virtual drink that you don’t have to pay for! Thanks!

---

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST!

     

---